Provoking a Graceful Bloom Novel

---- Chapter 204 As he mounted his horse, Frederick felt a lingering haze clouding his mind. His eyes rested on the distant target, yet in his mind, he could not shake the memory of Nathaniel's arrow. It was fired from the farthest corner of the field and hit the bullseye. Such a feat was nearly beyond human capability. If Frederick shot as he always had, standing in front of the target, he might manage a perfect shot. But even then, it would fall far short when compared to his brother. Could he match Nathaniel's distance and angle? Frederick's face darkened.

That achievement was not a result of ordinary skill. He had never attempted it, nor did he have confidence in his own ability to succeed. "Your Highness!" Mira whispered from behind, reminding him that it was time to begin. But Frederick remained motionless on his horse, not stirring in the least. No one could tell what had seized him. Even Wilfred and Ruth, observing from afar, furrowed their brows in concern. "Your Highness!" Mira reminded him again. Finally, Frederick responded. He nudged his horse forward, and ---- the animal surged ahead.

Yet, doubt lingered, and that single hesitation was enough. Soon, the horse had galloped past the target. Like the Obsidian Monarch, Frederick didn't aim at the target head-on. A hush fell over the spectators. Some of those seated rose to their feet, eager to witness how the fifth prince would astonish them. Nathaniel was the monarch of the Northern Frontier, but Frederick was Aurensia's Warbringer. In all these years, the only defeat he had ever suffered was the battle at Mount Iron outside Hartshire, just half a month ago. How else would he have earned the title of Warbringer?

In actuality, Frederick had intended to shoot from in front of the target. But he had hesitated for merely a moment, and the horse's pace carried him past it before he could act. Now, he drew the bow and nocked an arrow at once, though his, position had already shifted far from the center. Compared to where Nathaniel had just loosed his shot from, Frederick was still a long way off. If he were to fire from this spot, even a bullseye would pale in comparison to Nathaniel's shot. But from the very position Nathaniel had shot from, Frederick wasn't confident he could match it.

Hesitation clung to him as the horse carried him to the ---- farthest reaches of the field This was the place. Frederick drew a deep breath, eyes fixed on the distant, nearly imperceptible target. He gritted his teeth and finally relaxed his fingers. The arrow whistled through the air... "Huh?" "What?" "What just happened?" Exclamations rippled through the crowd. Frederick had returned, crimson-faced, wishing only to vanish from the hunting grounds, never to be seen again. He had missed the target. He was the only one among all the teams taking part in the exercise to miss the target.

In all the years of the Autumn Hunt, it had never happened before. The entire field fell utterly silent, with many holding their breath as if afraid to disturb the stillness. The Warbringer himself had failed to hit the target. Granted, the distance was extraordinary, beyond what any ordinary man ---- could achieve. But if he couldn't do it, there was no need to strain himself. To have reached this point and still miss the target was utterly humiliating. Wilfred let out a small huff, and only then did those around him dare to breathe. Adelaide smiled gently.

"Fred must have been affected by Nate. One can only blame Nate for being too exceptional." Her words seemed to defend Frederick, yet beneath them lay unmistakable mockery. Ruth shot Adelaide a glare before hastily explaining to Wilfred, " Your Majesty, Frederick was recently gravely injured. Though he is recovering, he is not yet fully healed, which is why he missed..." "Then, he shouldn't have insisted on competing. If he were to be hurt again, what then?" Adelaide retorted. "What?!" Wilfred's expression darkened, displeased. "Their team's young lady is about to take her turn.

Could you two keep quiet?" But who was that young lady? He had never seen her before.